Blade Connector With Locking Tab For Ceiling Fan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling fan designs lack a secure and efficient method for connecting blades to the fan's motor, leading to potential instability and reduced air movement efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling fan system featuring a blade with openings, a blade iron with complementary mount posts, and a connector with receptacles and a locking tab, allowing for secure attachment and easy installation of the blade to the blade iron.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional blade connection methods are used, then the structure is simple, but the connection stability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple functional components: receptacles for receiving mount posts, locking tabs for securing the connection, and a frame structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving connection stability while keeping the overall design manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting posts are inserted through openings in the blade into the receptacles of the connector, creating a nested arrangement where the posts are contained within the receptacles. The locking tabs then engage with the posts from the exterior, creating a multi-layered secure connection that improves reliability
2Productivity
If traditional blade connection methods are used, then the installation process is simple, but the air movement efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is pre-assembled with the locking tabs and receptacles positioned correctly before blade installation. The mount posts are pre-positioned on the blade iron, allowing for quick alignment and insertion into the blade openings, thereby improving installation efficiency without compromising air movement performance
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary component between the blade and the motor housing, providing a precise and stable mounting interface. This intermediary structure ensures that the blade is held in the correct position and orientation, optimizing air movement efficiency while simplifying the overall installation process through modular design
3Reliability
If secure blade attachment is implemented, then the connection stability is improved, but the connector complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tabs are designed to automatically engage with the mount posts when the blade is properly installed. The tabs spring into position and lock the posts in place without requiring additional fastening steps or complex adjustment mechanisms, providing secure attachment while maintaining relatively simple connector design
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces traditional threaded fasteners or multiple bolt connections with a simplified mechanical locking system. The locking tabs use elastic deformation and geometric interlocking instead of threads or welds, reducing the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining secure blade attachment
Data Source
AI summary
A ceiling fan or similar air-moving device can include a motor for rotating one or more blades to drive a volume of air about a space. A connector can be used to connect the blade to a blade iron to mount the blade to the motor. The connector can include a set of receptacles configured to insert into openings on the blade, with the set of receptacles connected by a set of arms. A set of mount posts on the blade iron can seat within the receptacles to mount the blade to the blade iron.